Sandra Andrews brings over two decades of cross-industry HR experience, driving employee engagement, inclusion, and well-being. She has led HR functions across manufacturing, FMCG, hospitality, and automotive sectors, backed by advanced qualifications in human resources, public administration, labor law, and strategic HR management.
In an insightful interaction with Women Entrepreneurs Review Magazine, Sandra shares her insights on the evolving role of HR leaders in driving organizational transformation, managing workforce agility amid global shifts, and preparing for an AI-driven future. In the article below, she highlights how Flex is equipping employees for tomorrow while nurturing purpose and belonging.
How has HR leaders’ role evolved in today’s business landscape?
The role of Human Resources (HR) leaders has shifted significantly over the years, expanding from a primarily administrative function to a key strategic partner in business success. Today, HR is at the forefront of workforce transformation, business agility, and fostering a culture of continuous learning and innovation.
People are at the center of everything we do at Flex, and we view HR function as a driving force for change. Be it reinforcing a people-first approach, ensuring fair labor practices, continuously investing in growth opportunities for all workers and a multitude of people-centric initiatives, including employee safety, scholarship programs, workforce mental health initiatives, and much more.
With shifting global supply chains and rising automation, how is HR redefining workforce agility in manufacturing to prevent large-scale redundancies while sustaining business continuity?
As global supply chains evolve and automation becomes more prevalent, HR’s role in ensuring workforce agility has never been more critical. Instead of viewing automation as a replacement for human work, we focus on integrating technology in a way that enhances employee capabilities and drives efficiency.
At Flex, we emphasize upskilling to equip employees with the expertise needed to collaborate with advanced manufacturing technologies. Our goal is to create a workforce that is both resilient and adaptable. By fostering human-machine collaboration, we ensure that automation handles repetitive tasks while employees engage in more strategic and meaningful work. This approach not only improves job satisfaction but also enhances long-term business sustainability. Proactive workforce planning, coupled with continuous learning opportunities, helps minimize redundancies while ensuring business continuity.
With the rapid pace of automation and AI integration, how do you see workforce roles evolving? How does Flex prepare employees for jobs of the future while retaining a sense of purpose and belonging?
The rapid integration of automation and AI is fundamentally transforming workforce roles, directing attention toward essential skills such as critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving. As routine tasks become automated, employees are presented with opportunities to engage in more complex, strategic, and value-driven roles that contribute significantly to organizational success. This evolution is not just a transitional phase; it represents a significant shift in how we envision work in the future.
At Flex, we strategically integrate AI into our daily operations to empower our teams. By providing our employees with advanced AI tools, we enable them to work smarter and significantly amplify their impact within the organization.
We understand the vital importance of continuous learning and upskilling to keep pace with technological advancements. In India, we have introduced a program called Evolve, an Education Assistance initiative designed to empower employees with future-ready skills. This program provides technical training and financial support for professional development. This year, 25 employees successfully completed their Engineering Degree (BTech) graduation, fully sponsored through our Employee Assistance Program, Evolve. The program is crafted to foster professional growth and development, enabling our talent to reach the next level of achievement.
Through partnerships with leading engineering colleges, we facilitate opportunities for employees to enhance their expertise and adaptability, ensuring they remain competitive in a rapidly evolving industry.
In addition to technical training, we are deeply invested in leadership development programs. Such initiatives ensure that our workforce not only possesses the necessary technical skills but also the leadership capabilities required in the jobs of the future.
With Gen Z’s workplace influence growing, how does HR in large-scale industrial setups bridge the gap between traditional manufacturing mindsets and new-age workforce demands?
As Generation Z's influence in the workplace continues to expand, it's imperative for HR in large-scale industrial organizations to bridge the divide between traditional manufacturing processes and the evolving expectations of this new-age workforce. Gen Z approaches work with a fresh perspective, prioritizing work-life balance, career growth and digital collaboration. These emerging priorities challenge conventional manufacturing structures, necessitating a re-evaluation of traditional HR practices. To address this generational shift, HR professionals must integrate modern workforce needs with established industry practices.
At Flex, we are committed to cultivating an agile and engaging work environment that resonates with the aspirations of the next generation of employees. Our initiatives include mentorship programs and digital fluency training, aimed at fostering a culture of collaboration rather than hierarchy.
Understanding that purpose-driven work is crucial for younger generations, we ensure that employees connect with our company’s mission and have clear pathways for career advancement. This synergy between operational excellence and employee engagement is vital for attracting and retaining top talent.
For example, we recently launched the Graduate Engineer Trainee (GET) program at our India sites, a comprehensive initiative designed to mentor and develop recent engineering graduates for pivotal roles within the organization. Additionally, we've established specialized training labs focused on equipping our young workforce with essential skills in testing and assembly operations, thus preparing them to meet the dynamic needs of our industry.
Employee well-being needs are constantly evolving. How does Flex adapt to ensure its programs remain effective?
As a responsible, global diversified manufacturer, Flex recognizes that prioritizing employee health, safety, and development is essential to empowering every team member to flourish. We continuously refine our approach to ensure our programs remain relevant and impactful.
Guided by our purpose and values, our responsible practices encompass a multitude of people-centric initiatives, including a strong culture of safety, talent development& management and workforce mental health initiatives.
We offer a range of support, from stress management strategies to lifestyle interventions. Virtual coaching and digital health platforms enhance accessibility to mental health resources. Flex has made significant progress in fostering a culture of well-being by acknowledging the diverse needs of our global workforce and promoting open conversations about mental health. Our efforts to invest in and develop mental health resources resulted in ensuring 100 percent of our employees have access to emotional and mental health programs. Our commitment to enhancing employee mental health resource accessibility is just one step in our journey to building a culture of well-being. We continue to equip employees with the resources they need to thrive.
In a business landscape where companies are being scrutinized for their ESG commitments, how can HR actively shape sustainable labor practices without compromising business profitability?
At Flex, we recognize that sustainable workforce strategies are essential for long-term business resilience and a competitive advantage. Building on over 20 years of sustainability investment, our disciplined practices help address broader environmental and social challenges, cultivate a workplace that empowers every team member to thrive, lead with integrity, and accelerate a more sustainable value chain.
Our global sustainability team actively collaborates with HR to establish and help achieve our labor practices goals. We adhere to the highest global standards for labor practices, ensuring ethical and responsible management throughout the product lifecycle. Our team members work together to help our customers and suppliers uphold these standards.
Additionally, our upskilling and reskilling initiatives empower employees to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving job market. These efforts reflect our commitment to fostering a skilled and adaptableworkforce.
Whether our teams are navigating a customer challenge or a global disruption, we work to ensure our employees have what they need to stay protectedand empowered to show up to work as their best selves.
What advice would you give to HR leaders looking to drive not just HR but organizational growth and transformation?
For HR leaders aiming to contribute beyond their traditional role, adaptability and foresight are essential. Organizations thrive when their workforce is agile and empowered to navigate change effectively. Encouraging cross-functional collaboration, providing clear career growth pathways and nurturing top talent are critical. In a world where skilled professionals are a key differentiator, creating an environment that attracts, develops, and retains top talent will be a game-changer.
